The Save the Children Fund

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Meeting: 

77th WHA Individual Statements

Agenda Item: 
- Group 3.1. Items 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 and 15.5
Statement: 

Save the Children notes the urgent importance of agenda item 15.2. We draw particular attention to WHO’s Guidance on regulatory measures to restrict digital marketing of breast milk substitutes. The unique life-saving and life-enhancing benefits of breastfeeding are proven. Yet, BMS companies are estimated to spend 10-15% of their global sales on marketing each year, amounting to a staggering 4-6 billion USD. Digital marketing has rapidly emerged as a preferred avenue for companies. It is vital that we protect against the circumvention of existing Code laws, aggressive marketing, and the misuse and distortion of information to influence infant feeding decisions. We call on member states to implement and incorporate the guidance into their existing Code Laws and to accelerate progress across all the 2025 global nutrition targets.